Legislative Activity

The American Music Fairness Act of 2025 updates copyright law to include terrestrial broadcasts and internet services for audio transmissions, ensuring that artists are compensated for their work when played on these platforms. It establishes specific royalty fees for small broadcasters and ensures that the promotional value that broadcasters provide to artists is considered when setting royalty rates. The Act also protects songwriters and music copyright owners by ensuring the law does not negatively impact their public performance rights or royalties. A portion of royalties from direct licenses will be paid to a collective for distribution to artists, copyright owners, and record labels.

The "Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act" aims to ensure that foreign nongovernmental organizations are eligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, part I, regardless of the health or medical services they provide with non-U.S. government funds if such services are legal in their country. It also prevents these organizations from facing stricter requirements than U.S. organizations regarding the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The "Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act" directs the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in schools across the country. The study will assess curriculum requirements, teaching methods, materials used, and how students' knowledge and recognition of antisemitism are evaluated. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress.

The "Help Independent Tracks Succeed Act" or the "HITS Act" allows taxpayers to elect to treat qualified sound recording production costs as expenses rather than capital expenditures, up to $150,000 per production or in the aggregate for all productions in a taxable year. It also classifies these productions as qualified property for bonus depreciation purposes and defines a qualified sound recording production as one produced and recorded in the United States. This applies to productions starting in taxable years ending after the enactment of this Act.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.

The "Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025" modifies tax deductions for performing artists by adjusting the income threshold for deduction phaseouts, clarifying deductible expenses to include commissions, and increasing the threshold for nominal employers. The adjusted gross income (AGI) threshold is $100,000, and the nominal employer threshold is $500. Both amounts will be adjusted for inflation after 2025. This ensures fair tax treatment and helps offset professional expenses.

The "Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025" authorizes the Secretary to award grants to health care providers. These grants will enhance the physical and cyber security of healthcare facilities, personnel, and patients. Funds can be used for security services, upgrades to physical access, cyber security, video surveillance, data privacy, and structural improvements.

The Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali posthumously, in recognition of his achievements as an athlete, civil rights champion, and humanitarian. Following the presentation, the medal will be given to his wife, Lonnie Ali. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Food Deserts Act establishes a grant program providing funds to states to create revolving loan funds for grocery stores in underserved communities. These funds will offer loans to establish new grocery stores or support existing ones, emphasizing the availability of healthful foods at affordable prices. States will prioritize entities that hire locally, offer nutritional education, and source food from local farms. The Act allocates $150 million for fiscal year 2026 to carry out these provisions.

The "Saving the Civil Service Act" limits the ability to reclassify civil service positions, maintaining competitive service standards. It requires OPM approval for certain position changes and sets restrictions on the number of employees that can be moved between service types during a presidential term. Employee consent is mandated for transfers between different service schedules. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with creating regulations to implement the provisions of this act.

The "Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025" aims to remove the existing Medicare exclusion for hearing aids and related examinations starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study and report on existing hearing aid programs, assessing their effectiveness and providing recommendations for improvement.

The "Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act" prohibits gender discrimination in the Armed Forces. Service eligibility must focus on an individual's ability to meet occupational requirements, without considering race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. The bill requires equal opportunity for all members, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation and encourage economic activity between the U.S. and Taiwan by lowering tax rates on certain income for Taiwanese residents and businesses in the U.S., contingent upon Taiwan offering reciprocal benefits to U.S. individuals and companies. Additionally, the United States-Taiwan Tax Agreement Authorization Act outlines the process for establishing a tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and adherence to existing U.S. tax laws, to further reduce double taxation.

The "Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2028 to honor the women who contributed to the World War II Home Front. The coin designs will represent the legacy of these women, with input from the Rosie the Riveter Trust, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. Surcharges from the coin sales will go to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. This act ensures that the coin minting incurs no net cost to the government and recognizes the invaluable contributions of women during WWII.

The TRUST in Congress Act mandates that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children place covered investments, such as securities and commodities, into qualified blind trusts within a specified timeframe. These trusts must remain in place until 180 days after the member leaves office, ensuring that investment decisions are made without the member's knowledge or influence. Members must certify their compliance or declare the absence of covered investments, with these certifications being made public. An exception is provided for spouses or dependent children whose primary income is derived from a covered investment.

The "Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act" prohibits the U.S. from recognizing any Georgian government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or his associates, and requires the U.S. to actively discourage other countries from recognizing such a government. It authorizes sanctions and measures to combat corruption and foreign influence in Georgia, while affirming recognition of the current Georgian President until free and fair elections can be held. The Act restricts U.S. officials and funds from actions implying recognition of an Ivanishvili regime, and can be revoked if Georgia restores its constitution and democratic processes.

The Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act of 2025 aims to reduce preventable amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) through increased education, expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage of PAD screening tests for at-risk individuals, and the development of quality measures focused on amputation prevention. This act establishes a PAD education program, waives cost-sharing for PAD screening tests for at-risk beneficiaries, and promotes amputation prevention programs. Ultimately, the goal is to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and address disparities in amputation rates.

The "One School, One Nurse Act of 2025" aims to ensure every school has at least one full-time registered nurse by establishing a grant program. This program will provide funding to recruit, hire, and retain school nurses, especially in high-need areas. The grants will also support converting part-time positions to full-time and maintaining recommended nurse-to-student ratios, with priority given to entities focused on hiring from underrepresented populations. The Department of Education will oversee the grant program and set nurse-to-student ratio guidelines.

The Capitol Remembrance Act mandates the creation of a permanent exhibit within the Capitol Building to memorialize the January 6, 2021, attack. This exhibit will feature damaged property, photographs, and a plaque honoring law enforcement, fallen heroes, injured officers, and Capitol staff. The goal is to ensure future generations understand the events of that day and the sacrifices made to protect the Capitol. Appropriations are authorized to complete the exhibit within two years.